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Local Youth and Big Brother of the Year Recognized by President Obama at the White House
Featured Jul 19, 2012
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Mike Trueblood and Little Brother, Joseph Spicer, visit the Oval Office
Monrovia teen and his Big Brother were recognized for their mentoring relationship by President Barack Obama in the Oval Office today. Nominated by his Little Brother Joseph Spicer, Mike Trueblood was recognized for his tireless work and dedication as a Big Brother serving the Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters (CBBBS) chapter in Los Angeles for more than three decades, Trueblood was joined by his little brother Joseph and given the presidential treatment at the White House.
Chosen out of 250,000 volunteers in the nation to become Big Brother of the Year, Trueblood has served as a Big Brother to three boys throughout his life. He never dreamed his passion and commitment to be a mentor would lead him to the White House. “I am humbled and overjoyed to have met the President of the United States. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” he said and added, “I want to encourage more volunteers, especially males, and financial supporters to join a mentoring program – the results are outstanding.”
Having served CBBBS in several capacities including volunteering as a board member, advertising consultant and most recently, as a Big Brother, Trueblood says being a mentor is a very important calling in life. He and Joseph share a deep bond and connection that has been cultivated over the past 5 years. Despite the generational differences – Trueblood is 82 and Joseph is 14 – they have become a strong team. Trueblood has taught Joseph to play tennis, invest in his education and to be a public speaker, affording him the opportunity to speak at City Council meetings and gala events, where he has been offered support for his college education.
Joseph is fortunate to have Trueblood as a guiding force in life and was ecstatic to visit the White House for the first time, “I am proud to have Mike Trueblood as my Big Brother and thankful to have the opportunity to fly to Washington DC and meet the President in-person,” he said. Joseph was joined on the trip by his uncle, Larry Spicer, who is a Monrovia City Councilman.
Catholic Big Brothers, Big Sisters
Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters (CBBBS) is a nonprofit organization that was founded in Los Angeles in 1925. CBBBS is committed to serving youth across the greater Los Angeles region that can benefit from having a mentor in their lives. The organization’s mission is to empower youth, ages 7-18, of all beliefs and backgrounds, helping them to reach their potential through a professionally supported, one-to-one volunteer mentoring friendship. The goal of the mentoring relationship is to advance education, social and emotional development, pro-social behavior and attitudes, and, ultimately, to assist youth to achieve positive life outcomes. For more information visit www.catholicbigbrothers.org
